Daily Skies & Distant Hills - Acrylic Painting

Daily Skies & Distant Hills - A 21 Day Acrylic Painting Challenge For Beginners.

21 daily prompts and inspiration.

I created Daily Skies & Distant Hills as a gentle 21-day challenge to help beginners build confidence in acrylic landscape painting — but also to give you something more: a little creative time just for you.

Over the past few years, I’ve taught many beginners how to paint, and I’ve seen how powerful it can be — not just for learning techniques, but for improving wellbeing. Painting gives us space to slow down, focus on the moment, and reconnect with the quiet joy of creating something with our own hands.

This guide offers a simple journey through the essentials of acrylic landscape painting. Each day includes a short, achievable task that builds on the last — covering everything from colour mixing and composition to painting skies, water, and distant hills. It’s designed to be stress-free, encouraging, and fun.

You don’t need to be confident to start — you just need to begin.

I’ve also included a few bonus sections to support you along the way:

Troubleshooting tips for common beginner challenges

Advice for painting outdoors (en plein air), inspired by the Lake District fells

Encouragement for your next steps as an artist

A glossary of simple art terms for beginners

By the end of the 21 days, I hope you’ll not only feel proud of what you’ve created — but also a little calmer, more confident, and connected to your own creative voice.

Let’s paint together.
— Cally